000 WTNT35 KNHC 230235 TCPAT5 BULLETIN Hurricane Maria Advisory Number 28 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL152017 1100 PM EDT Fri Sep 22 2017 ...DANGEROUS HURRICANE MARIA FORECAST TO MOVE NORTHWARD OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC WATERS... ...HIGH SWELLS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE ALONG PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES COAST... SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...24.1N 71.7W ABOUT 365 MI...585 KM E OF NASSAU ABOUT 175 MI...285 KM E OF SAN SALVADOR MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...125 MPH...205 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNW OR 345 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...954 MB...28.17 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: None SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Turks and Caicos Islands * Southeastern Bahamas * Central Bahamas A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Interests elsewhere in the Bahamas should monitor the progress of Maria. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK ------------------------------ At 1100 PM EDT (0300 UTC), the large eye of Hurricane Maria was located near latitude 24.1 North, longitude 71.7 West. Maria is moving toward the north-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h), but a gradual turn to the north should begin on Saturday. This forecast will bring the core of Maria east of the Bahamas on Saturday, and then over the open waters of the western Atlantic. Maximum sustained winds remain near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Maria is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. No important changes in intensity are expected on Saturday, but gradual weakening should begin on Sunday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km). The minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane was 954 mb (28.17 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- WIND: Tropical storm conditions are still likely over portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas during the next several hours, but should subside on Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the central Bahamas on Saturday. STORM SURGE: Water levels in the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands will subside as Maria moves away from those islands. RAINFALL: Rains are expected to gradually diminish across portions of the Turks and Caicos as well as the eastern Bahamas as Maria continues to move north of those islands Friday night and Saturday. Additional rainfall amounts of an inch or less are expected over those areas through Saturday. SURF: Swells generated by Maria are affecting Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the northern coast of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas. These swells will begin to increase along portions of the southeastern United States coast and Bermuda tonight and Saturday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 200 AM EDT. Next complete advisory at 500 AM EDT. $$ Forecaster Avila